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Romantic · prelude

Prelude in Op. 28, No. 19

Frédéric Chopin · Level 9, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A prelude in a collection shaped over several years. Prelude in Op. 28, No. 19 is a prelude by Frédéric Chopin from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 9, an estimate.

On this page
  • prelude
  • Romantic
  • joyful

History

PTNA's account places the beginnings of some Op. 28 preludes around 1836 and reports completion of the collection in Mallorca in 1838. The autograph collection was sent to Paris in January 1839, and publication followed in 1839. This is a history of the set, not evidence that every prelude began on the island.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. Wide triplets connect the pickup to the phrase

    The quarter pickup starts broken-note groups in both parts. Hear their shared direction across the wide registers.

  2. A contrasting group changes its lower starts

    New lower starting pitches accompany a related upper continuation. Compare its colour with the opening triplet shape.

  3. Broader patterns expand the continuation

    Altered broken groups widen the later response. Follow their longer line without imposing a physical reach prescription.

  4. Two short arrivals precede held harmony

    The last responses become shorter before the held closing chord. Hear the change from continuous triplets to sustained sound.

How to practise it

Keep the upper and lower triplet reaches predictable rather than chasing their jumps.

  1. Practise each three-note destination set slowly, then join two triplets with a soft returning note.
  2. Locate low E-flat and the higher destinations silently, then practise the return in an even triplet pulse.

How hard is it

Level 9, estimated

Continuous wide-ranging figures demand secure landings, relaxed movement and preserved melodic direction.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Frédéric Chopin, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
The prelude gallery
Licence
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0
Source
mutopiaproject.org
Credit
“Prélude 19” by F. F. Chopin (1810 to 1849). Mutopia edition maintained by Knute Snortum. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=2192. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/. Changes to the supplied file: none; any later conversion or edit must be disclosed separately.

More by Frédéric Chopin

  1. Prelude in A major, Op. 28 No. 7Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
  3. Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Keep the upper and lower triplet reaches predictable rather than chasing their jumps.

Practise it in PlayPiano